Internet Telephony Vs Normal Telephoning

Author: Anna Stenning

Making a telephone call is probably one of the most common things you can

do provided you do run your phone bill up high. The most you will gain

out this is a simple use for a few minutes each day, perhaps more and

engage in a conversation with the other person on the other end of the

line. Telephones and communication across a network has been around for a

little over a century, as quick communication is an extremely important

part of putting across a message.

With this in mind the communication industry has progressed forwards as

technology has advanced. One way of making a relatively cheaper phone

call is via a VoIP phone (voice over internet protocol) which simply put

is internet telephony software that allows you to make calls across the

net. Unlike MSN or a normal messaging chat room, this is an actual

telephoning system, which can be done for free or for a low cost across

continents. VoIP phones are more popular amongst who live further away

from each other and can communicate better through a broadband

connection.

VoIP phones normally require both parties to use a broadband internet

connection, install the same internet telephony programme and have added

each other to their profile (similar to that of MSN messenger). These

programmes do not charge for calls from one computer to the other,

however, they do charge for landline and mobile phone calls. Over the

years the connection and audio quality have improved making communication

easier for both parties and the sound quality clearer.

Most internet telephony providers allow using various devices to make the

calls, either by using a headset or using VoIP phones. Skype is one of

the leading companies that offer such service, others include Paradial,

Ooma, NETXUSA, Volt Delta Resources and many more. Some of the VoIP

service providers can include different packages, such as Ooma offers a

wireless internet telephoning protocol hub, which when connected to the

broadband allows for cheaper or free calls.

Unlike conventional telephoning methods there are no wire transference

present, which means they do not need to be manually connected. However,

unlike normal telephoning, VoIP phones do require the users to be

connected to broadband internet only and to have installed the same

programmes. Therefore, anybody with a limited knowledge on the internet

and computers will need to be shown how to install the programme and set

up their own account.

Where normal telephones are permanently attached to a wire, the VOIP

systems can be taken anywhere around the world provided you are connected

to a broadband internet service and have your own computer (laptop or

WAP). This can be done at no cost if the call is made to the same

network. Furthermore, these come with in-built caller ID, call waiting,

conference calls, repeat dialling, answering messages, and forward

calling and voicemail options. Some of these features may be missing in

some older conventional telephone models.

It would appear that VOIP phones are better at connecting to long

distance calls, making it sound like a normal local call, whereas it

could work out to be a costly process to make conventional calls across

the border. They are by far more efficient, yet not convincing enough to

take over conventional telephones, as they are still not as accessible.

Many people are still unaware of internet telephone protocols, which is

why the transition will be slow.